3 Nolan Arenado trade packages for Cardinals to capitalize on Red Sox's interest

There is reported trade interest from the Boston Red Sox in the St. Louis Cardinals' third baseman Nolan Arenado. There have also been credible reports pointing toward Nolan Arenado being one of the most likely players with a no-trade clause who could be dealt this offseason. Even though Arenado himself hasn't requested a trade, there's still the potential for the 10-time Gold Glover to be moved this offseason.

While the Red Sox may not seem to be a good fit on the surface, they have plenty to offer the Cardinals in return, and Chaim Bloom is one of the artists of their elite farm system. The Red Sox are in search of a right-handed power bat with plus defense, and Nolan Arenado fits that bill quite well even following his recent decline. The Cardinals, meanwhile, are looking for anything to help speed up the reset.

These three trade packages including Nolan Arenado to the Boston Red Sox could also benefit the St. Louis Cardinals.

Trade #1: The Red Sox and the Cardinals swap pricey major leaguers.

Red Sox receive: 3B Nolan Arenado
Cardinals receive: DH/OF Masataka Yoshida

In this trade, the Red Sox and Cardinals swap relatively pricey players who both have three years remaining on their deals. The Red Sox get their right-handed, power-hitting third baseman in Arenado who can rake doubles to the Green Monster all year, and the Cardinals receive a balanced left-handed hitter who can be the team's primary designated hitter.

This allows Rafael Devers to become the Red Sox's designated hitter, it keeps Triston Casas at first base, and it opens up playing time in the outfield for Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu, Ceddanne Rafaela, Rob Refsnyder, and Roman Anthony.

Trading Arenado allows Nolan Gorman or Brendan Donovan -- my personal preference -- to move to third base while the other stays at second base. The outfield alignment of Lars Nootbaar, Michael Siani, and Jordan Walker remains untouched, and Yoshida can be the team's DH against right-handed pitchers.

Arenado, 33, is set to make $74 million these next three years, but the Colorado Rockies are kicking in $5 million in both 2025 and 2026, and there are some deferments attached to Nado's contract. His average annual value sits at around $18 million over the next three years.

Masataka Yoshida, 31, is owed another $54 million over the next three years. There's a small gap in their salaries, but Arenado's defensive upside should offset that difference. Both Arenado and Yoshida will be free agents following the 2027 season.

A trade of Nolan Arenado and Masataka Yoshida one-for-one makes sense for both the Cardinals and the Red Sox. Boston receives a power-hitting right-handed batter who plays a much better third base than incumbent Rafael Devers, and they are able to remove a log jam of outfielders. The Cardinals save some money by trading Arenado, and they allow their young hitters to get plenty of playing time in both the infield and the outfield.

They also boost their production against right-handed pitchers, something they already did well. While Yoshida doesn't have much viability defensively, he's one of the best players at avoiding strikeouts and getting on base.

Trade #2: The Cardinals trade Nolan Arenado for a pitching prospect coming off of a major injury.

Red Sox receive: 3B Nolan Arenado and $10 million
Cardinals receive: RHP Luis Perales

A trade similar to this, one in which the Cardinals trade Nolan Arenado for a near-MLB-ready prospect, feels most likely. In this case, the Cardinals get a pitcher with significant upside who is coming off a major injury.

The Cardinals send Nolan Arenado to the Red Sox along with $10 million to help offset the remaining money on his deal. This grants Boston and Chief baseball operator Craig Breslow some wiggle room when it comes to signing free agents. Arenado will slot in at third base, and Rafael Devers could move to first base, thus opening up a trade of Triston Casas for another starting pitcher. It's not impossible to fit Arenado in the Red Sox's lineup as is.

In return, the Cardinals get a promising young pitcher, something they're itching to add, in Luis Perales.

Perales, 21, stands just six-feet-one-inch, but he has excellent specs. He features a 70-grade fastball that can touch 99. His secondary pitches aren't as strong, but his mid-80s slide and upper-80s changeup could be improved upon. Perales has a career 3.24 ERA across 161 innings in the minors, and he had a 2.94 ERA last year in nine starts and 33.2 innings. He is the Red Sox's ninth overall prospect according to MLB Pipeline.

What lowers Luis Perales's trade value would be his injury history. He underwent Tommy John Surgery in late June last year, and he likely won't be able to return to the mound until August at the earliest. Perales shouldn't expected in the majors until at least 2026, and that's assuming his recovery goes as planned.

However, his plus-plus fastball, age, and track record are tantalizing. Think Tink Hence with a bit less stuff when envisioning Luis Perales. He has crazy strikeout potential (nearly 15 K's per nine innings last year), and developing a strong secondary pitch could take his game to new levels.

The Cardinals lose a future Hall of Famer in this deal, but they get a prospect back who could be a mid-rotation starter in the next couple of years. They also get some salary relief for the next few years. This trade would help accelerate the Cardinals' stated reset.

Trade #3: The Cardinals trade two of their top trade candidates to land some prospects.

Red Sox receive: 3B Nolan Arenado, RHP Ryan Helsley, RHP Gordon Graceffo, $15 million
Cardinals receive: SS Yoeilin Cespedes and RHP Richard Fitts

I'll be quite honest here, I'm not sure this trade is balanced. The more players you include in a trade, the murkier it gets in my eyes. However, the Cardinals could be sending a fair value back to the Red Sox for outfielder Wilyer Abreu.

Let's start with the Cardinals package here. Nolan Arenado once again goes to Boston along with $15 million this time to offset his remaining salary. Including the money being thrown in from Colorado and deferments, Arenado all of a sudden becomes a budget third baseman when accounting for his defense and offensive potential.

In addition to Arenado, the Cardinals send the National League's best reliever in Ryan Helsley to Boston. He racked up a franchise record 46 saves in 2024, and he'll be missed, but he's the Cardinals' best trade chip at the moment.

To help Boston's pitching depth, the Cardinals send right-handed pitcher Gordon Graceffo. Graceffo, 24, was once a top organizational prospect, but he's fallen from grace a bit. He finished his time with Triple-A Memphis last year with a 10-8 record and a 4.85 ERA in 130 innings. He's struggled with giving up hits in recent years. Graceffo made his major league debut last year, and he had a 4.70 ERA in three appearances (7.2 innings) last year. He could be a viable bullpen or back-end starting pitcher for Boston.

In return, the Cardinals net two pretty strong prospects in Yoeilin Cespedes and Richard Fitts. Cespedes, still only 19, slashed .319/.400/.615 in Rookie Ball last year, and he had five home runs in only 91 plate appearances. He's an advanced hitter for his age, and he is currently playing shortstop, though he best profiles as a third or second baseman down the road.

Richard Fitts features a fastball that touches 98 MPH and sits around 94 MPH. His slider and changeup are his best secondary pitches. Fitts appears best suited as a back-end starter or a bulk reliever. He made his major league debut last year, and he started four games, threw 20.2 innings, and finished with a 1.74 ERA.

The Cardinals get a lottery ticket prospect in Cespedes and a pitcher with some assurance in Fitts. In exchange, Boston gets their defensive-minded third baseman, a reliable reliever, and a pitching prospect who can fill in the rotation when necessary. They also get some cash to offset the difference in salary between the players.